JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir government, in its move to develop Jammu region as an independent tourist destination, has announced creation of an International Yoga Centre at the famous pilgrim spot of Mantalai in Udhampur district.
J-K Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed also said the government will favorably consider a ‘subsidized tour package’ for leisure destinations in Jammu region in the upcoming holiday season.
“Mantalai will be promoted as a brand. International Yoga Centre here will have a cascading effect on tourist inflow. I am sure that once the Centre comes up, the flow of tourists to Mantalai will pick up,” Sayeed said, while addressing an interactive session during a J&K Tourism Conference.
The conference, organized to conceptualize an out-of-box strategy to put Jammu on the country’s leisure tourism map, was attended by tour and travel operators from across the nation as well as the state.
Entrusting responsibility to optimally utilize the intake capacity at various destinations in Jammu region to public and private stakeholders, the Chief Minister said, Tourism sector was bound to play a multiplier effect on other sectors like handicrafts and services which will help in improving the State’s economy.
He asked the private tour and travel operators to play an active role in changing public perception across the country about Jammu & Kashmir as a safe tourist destination.
Describing Jammu as an ideal tourist destination whose potential has largely remained unexplored, Sayeed said “Jammu has to be branded on the pattern of Kashmir so that the hidden nature spots in the region were brought to fore.”
Baghliar Dam catchment will be developed as a potential water-sports destination in the region, he added.
Calling for an aggressive marketing campaign to mobilize leisure tourists from outside the State to places like Sudh Mahadev, Sanasar, Patnitop, Bhaderwah and Batote, Sayeed stressed development of Bani-Basohli-Bhaderwah-Jai as a Tourist Circuit to exploit area’s huge tourism potential.
He also spoke about developing Suchetgarh as part of Border Tourism, on the analogy of Wagah Border and about the potential of Mubarak Mandi Heritage complex. -PTI
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